Influence of temperature variation on the larval performance of multivoltine mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori Linn.)

The performance of silkworm larvae in terms of larval duration, larval weight and survival of larvae was optimum at 26°C. At very low (10, 14°C) and very high (38°C) temperature regimes, the larval performance was poor which may be due to low degree of feeding by the larvae and reduced rate of digestion and utilization efficiencies of the larvae. At very high temperature (38°C), the poor performance of larvae are due to very high metabolic rate for longer duration.